After the accident, Noah Archer built a wall around himself. But Riley Dawson is curious about him, and she's determined to meet the man behind his defenses. ***** Riley Dawson has always noticed Noah. He was the most popular guy on campus, until he lost his parents in a car accident. Now he's withdrawn and silent. Mustering up the courage to give her condolences, the two end up talking, and Riley grows determined to help Noah find himself again. Every time she coaxes a smile from him, she can feel the ice around his heart melting. But Riley knows that Noah's loss is still close to him. She's opening up her heart, but can Noah do the same? He's got so much to lose, but now, so does she. [[word count: 70,000-80,000 words]]

*Completed* *Unedited* With every step he took towards me, I took one back until I hit the edge of his bed. A deep growl rumbled from his throat and I tried to make myself smaller in hopes that he would leave me alone. Being a human, I stood no chance against this beast in front of me. He would tear me apart. His muscles rippled with ease from underneath his shirt; his stance towered over me; his eyes colored with darkness; and I knew he was struggling to keep his wolf contained. "Kitten, don't act all scared. This is what you wanted, isn't it? You've always fantasized about what it would be like to be with a beast like me." His hand approached me slowly and then brushed my hip. I gasped. His teeth grazed my neck and I unconsciously leaned my head away, so he could have more room. "Answer me!" he growled. My chest furiously moved up and down as I tried to calm myself. I shook my head. "Well, Kitten, you're MINE. Whether you like it or not." From a very young age, Mae has been told by her father to stay away from werewolves. They were too rough, too dangerous for humans, but she always had a fascination with them. Damon was the Alpha of the Night Bane pack and he was exactly what Mae's father told her he would be - rough and dangerous. *Not my cover art @ Jojoesart

"I was so surprised when I saw her red hair that day. I didn't have anybody with red hair in my family. So I figured she got that feature from him. And I found out years later when he needed me to pick up his mother from the airport. Her hair was red like fire, too beautiful to be fake. Just like my little Emma's."